Hungary Airlines: new aircraft, new routes and stable outlook – promising year ahead for the Hungarian airline
Hungary Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer Gábor Talabos shared the company’s achievements and future plans in an interview with Közlekedésvilág. The focus of 2025 is to establish long-term stability, as the young Hungarian airline continues breaking records and prepares for significant expansion.
New branding, new aircraft, growing fleet
The airline’s first aircraft featuring its own livery—a Boeing 777 300 ERSF freighter—is expected to arrive in Budapest in the third quarter, according to the interview. The plane will operate under a Maltese registration in cooperation with a European operator. The first conversion of this aircraft type began four years ago. While the plane could have taken off last year, international certification hurdles and geopolitical challenges delayed the rollout.
Record load factors and on-time performance
The airline currently operates four weekly flights between China and Hungary—primarily from Hong Kong—and is considering the launch of a fifth. In June, the average load on its Airbus A330F aircraft was 66,300 kg, just shy of the maximum 67,800 kg capacity.
The airline’s schedule performance has been exemplary: over the past two months, flights operated with 100% on-time accuracy and no cancellations. In May, the aircraft logged an average of 15.8 flight hours per day—a testament to strong operational readiness, especially from maintenance partner Aeroplex.
China, the U.S., and new destinations in sight for Hungary Airlines
The airline’s next potential destination in mainland China is Zhengzhou, pending regulatory approval, with Hangzhou also under consideration. While its current licenses cover Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, management is also monitoring market opportunities in the Indian subcontinent and certain regions of Africa.
The United States remains off-limits for now, as no Hungarian airline currently holds a U.S. commercial license. However, long-term plans do include global operations.
Full-service cargo ambitions
Hungary Airlines aims to become a comprehensive air freight provider. The company is pursuing certification for transporting live animals and is expected to be among the first in Budapest to gain approval for air-shipping lithium batteries. In 2024, the airline transported 80,000 tons of cargo across the group, with a target of surpassing 100,000 tons this year.
Challenges and market expansion
Acquiring cargo aircraft remains a challenge: capacity for passenger-to-freighter conversions of models like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 is booked out years in advance. New-generation aircraft such as the Boeing 777-XF and Airbus 350F won’t be available until around 2027 due to production delays. Meanwhile, many used aircraft don’t meet European standards. These factors complicate fleet expansion plans, but the company continues to monitor the market for opportunities.
Stability and optimism
For Hungary Airlines, 2025 is about laying the groundwork for stable operations. According to Gábor Talabos, initial scepticism has faded, the team is well-prepared, and strong partnerships with government and diplomatic agencies provide a solid foundation for growth. The airline remains optimistic about the rest of the year and aims to establish Hungary as a stable and successful player in the global air freight market.
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